Flexible-tread wheel



W. C. STARR HEMEL@ TREAD WHEEL June 2s, 1927. 1,634,048

'Filed April 21", Aw26 2 sheets-sheet 1 @no1/Mago,

W. C. STARR FLEXIBLE TREAD WHEEL June 28,192.7. 1,634,048

Filed April 21, 192e 2 sheets-sheet 2 gaa' Patented June 28, 1927.

nutren STATES; PATENT oFFIcE."

WYA'rro; STARR, or LAKE WALES, FLORIDA.

FLEXIBL'EjTREAD VH'EEL.

Application led April 21.,

This invention aims to provide a novel tread for a vehicle wheel, ,and to provide` novel means JriorV connecting the tread tothe Wheel.

lt is Within the provinceoiil the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance thev utility oit devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination Figure through the tread member;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale as compared With Figure 1, some parts appearingin elevation; v

Figure l is an outer plan of the tread member.

is a transverse section taken The numeral 1 marks a Wheel having a Y circumferentially groovcd rim 2.

AV plurality or tread members is provided. Each treat member includes a base plate 3.

Across the base plate The traction cleat 4 1s 1n cross section, as shown 1n Figure 3.

cleat 4.

3 extends a traction V-shaped t includes overlapped flanges 5 connected by sements 6 to one end or the base rlhe length of the traction cleat curing ele plate 3. a

i is considerably greater than the. Width of the base plate 3. Figure Il shows this. The tread member includes a second traction The traction cleat 7 is ot considercleai.

ably great-er base pla length as t he traction cleat 4. The traction length than the Width of the nd may be of about the same cleat 7 includes a Wall 8 disposed about at right angles to the base plate 3 and provided Twith a lip 9 of the same Width as the base A securing element 10 connects the lip 9 With one end of the base plate 3. The cleat 7 embodies a Wall 11 connected to the outer end of the Wall 8 and disposed at angle to the Wall 8 and to the base plate 3.

ilhere the parts 8 and 11 join rejecting toe or flange Which 1926. Serial No. 103,571.

increases the hold of the tread member on the ground, the Wheel turning in the direction of the arrow AA inFigure 1, ln the edge ofthe Wall 11, slits 12 are formed. The slits 12V make a flange 14 which is held by securing elements 15 on the base plate 3. Securing elements 15 retain a U-shaped yoke 16 on the base plate 3, the yoke 16 having side arms 17 through which the securing elements 15 pass. The slits 12 in the wall 11 ot the cleat 7 formtWo lingers 18 Which are left in the same plane With the Wall 11.

The ngers 18 extend inwardly at an angle along the edges of the base plate 3 and along the edges of the arms 17 of the yoke, this construction strengthening the cleat 7, so that all of the strain does not come on the securing elements 15. The yoke 16 extends around the rim 2 of the Wheel 1. The securing element 10 holds one end or' a resilient member 19, said member 19 preferably being in the .form of a spring, the convolutions of which are in contact, so that the said spring cannot be compressed. The spring 19 is adapted to ride in the grooved rim 2 of the Wheel 1, one end of the spring 19 being connected at 20 to the Wheel rim 2. rfhe yoke 16, cooperating with the rim 2, prevents the tread member from having` an undesirable amountoi' lateral play with respect tothe Wheel rim, the spring 19 forming a yieldable connection between the tread member and the Wheel, the cleats Ll and 7 acquiring a hold on the ground, and the Wheel operating in a Way Which will be understood readily when Figures 1 and 3 are compared. A. flexible member, such as a chain 51, entends through the spring 19 and is secured at its ends to the bolts 10 and 20. The chain 51 does not interfere with the transverse flexibility of the spring 19, but it takes practically all of the pulling strain off the spring, and still allows the spring 19 to yield sidewise so that there may be sidewise movement of the tread member With respect to the Wheel when the Wheel makes a turn sidewise, for instance when the vehicle'is being steered. rlhe treadv member remains fixed on the ground, and the Wheel shifts sideWise on the tread member but does not Wrench the tread member in the ground. The inclined part 11 of the tread member presses the soft earth both ahead and down, and this operation aids greatly in preventing the Wheel from slipping or digging in.

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I'Vhat is claimed is l. In a device of Vthe class described, a Wheel including a rim having` a circumferential groove, a tread member comprising a yoke, and a resilientconnector disposed outside of the rim and extended longitudinally of the rim and so shaped in cross section as to t in the groove of the rim, one end of the connector being` attached to the tread member, andthe other end of the connector being attached to the rim.

2. In a device of the class described, a whee'l including` a rim, a tread member including a yoke extending transversely about the rim, and a spring disposed outside of the rim and extending longitudinally of the rim,

the spring comprising convolutions which are in Contact, one end of the spring` being connected to one end of the tread member, and the other end of the spring being connected to the rim at a point adjacent to the opposite end'of the tread member.

3. In a device of the class described` a Wheel including a rim, a tread member having a yoke extending about the rim, and a resilient member disposed outside of the rim and extended longitudinally of the rim, the resilient member' being connected at its ends to the tread member and to the rim.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own7 I have hereto aixed my signature.

VVYATT C. STARR. 

